At the November 10 Grants in Action forum, hosted by the Women’s Fund, two grantees captivated the audience with their inspirational presentations on Independence and Inclusion for Individuals with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD). Representatives of Alpha Resource Center of Santa Barbara and Hillside described the joys and challenges of supporting this community. They expressed their appreciation of the Women’s Fund grants they received this year, emphasizing the positive impact it has had on their work. The forum at the Marjorie Luke Theatre began with Linda Burrows, the leader of the planning team, introducing the grantee representatives. Michael S. Rassler, President & CEO of Hillside, and Joshua Weitzman, Executive Director of Alpha Resource Center, took the stage and engaged the audience with compelling videos and heartfelt stories about their programs and participants. Following the presentations, Kathy Wenger, a Grants in Action volunteer, moderated a panel discussion. The panel included Rassler and Quinn McCormick, Program Director of Hillside, as well as Weitzman and Gina Stabile, Family Resource Center Manager of Alpha Resource. Together, they provided valuable insights and answered questions, creating a dynamic and informative discussion for the attendees. The forum underscored the significance of treating each person as an individual, each with his or her goals, dreams, abilities, and needs. It was also emphasized that these individuals have families that need support through advocacy, referrals to other agencies, and connection with other families. The IDD community is highly collaborative, with organizations working together and referring clients to resources that best meet their needs. |
